The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-06
THE MAGIC CITY OF THE SOUTH.
A Glance at Birmingham, Ala, and Its Phe-
nomenal Boom.

Correspondence Charleston News and Courier.
Birmingham is the talk of the country. It's
phenomenal growth, the wonderful prices asked
and obtained for property and the problem of its
future are questions which everyone discusses
You cannot see everything in place of It's size
In day, but you can see enough to draw few
general conclusions. There was a crowd at the
depot when got off, but failed to be annoyed
by hotel porters. I discovered the reason of
this when l arrived at the hotel, or rather as I
arrived at one after the other in succession and
finally considered it q great privilege to obtain
bed In one of them after IL o'clock at night A
friend of mine who was intimate with the clerk
secured this great boon for me. 1t is considered
an honor to be intimate with a hotel clerk in
Birmingham In other places, where there is
eufncaent accommodation for the travelling pub
lie, you can approach to within a respectful dis
tance of a hotel clerk with safety; but here
where one must telegraph ahead to secure a
iodging. the clerk has the privilege Of being the
same fat, sleek, naughty potentate that dwelt in
the hotels all over the country and ruled with
despotic sway the traveller of decade ago.
What struck me Immediately was the crowded
streets, the stir and hustle on every hand, and
the strangers-strangers you know from the
way they peer into ths stores. gaze up at the
tops of the houses ana look up and down the
cross streets
The boom" is kept up greatly by these
strangers, who are pouring in from every part
of the country, with the various intentions of
securing employment, engaging in business,
specializing, and many. like myself, coming
from mere curiosity. 1t is actually becoming
almost q fashion to come here. You will meet
as many of your friends as you would at your
county fair. l never saw many young men
In place before Most of them had the ap-
pearance of having lost something. l think it
was probably the position of clerk at home.
Whlle rambling through the streets | met an
old friend, one OF the many young prophets here
who are not without honor save in their own
country hailed him with the delight one
feels In meeting a friend-away from home
al ara An,p
He III bosomed himself at once He had given
mp the position of clerk in the hotel in his native
village and come TO the place where there was
prospect ahead. But" he conclui ed. with an
air of disgust, natural talent counts for moth
Ing here"
Isympathized with him and asked him if he
had applied at the coal-mines and furnaces. A
tear stood in his bright blue eye. He shook his
head sadly and 1 saw that he felt his genius
was not appreciated. He took my hand bur.
ridly. remarking that he barely had time TO
buy ham sandwich and catch the train for
home.
Positions are hard to obtain. The supply is
greater than the demand. The salaries paid are
very moderate. and all the nice places just
as they are everywhere else-filled. But bone
and sinew, the REQUIREMENTS for developing the
resources OF this region at a premium and
any one who is willing to do manual labor
obtain employment at good wages. l was in
formed that laoorer of any kind never received
less than 81 per day, and that the hands in the
uines ana furnaces received from 81. 0U 10 81. o.
according to their skill and industry.
was standing in front of one of those marvel
ously high-priced vacant lots. 1t was salts
faction to know that was allowed the privilege
OF gazing freely upon this great treasure. and
was congratulating myself upon my good fort
une. when an eaaer-looking, sweet talking little
man came up. and, after regarding me mo-
ment, said
Thinking of investing in real estate, STRIP
felt hattered. 1t is pleasant for child of
humble fortune TO be mistaken for bloated